Students view and discuss a video clipabout our expanding universe.
Then they contemplate if our universe has a boundary and if yes, what might be beyond
that boundary.(Alternate also available)

Explore

30 min (day 1)

2.1, 2.2, 2.5, 3.1, 3.2, 3.5, 3.7, 4.2, 4.3, 5.2, 5.8, 7.3

none

3

Students use a balloon to model the universe. They draw three
dots representing 3 galaxies in the universe and then blow up the balloon.
Taking measurements, they begin to understand how it is that scientists come to believe that
the universe is expanding.

Explain

15 min (day 1), 30 (day 2)

7.4

Optional Electronic Devices

2

Students read a piece of given text and use guided/active
reading strategies to better understand the concept

Expand

10 min (day 2)

7.3

Optional Electronic Devices

3

Students can make a choice from the choice board to either
create a radio show, create a travel brochure or make a song/rap about our expanding universe.

Evaluate

10 min (day 2)

7.2, 7.3

Optional Electronic Devices

2

Students complete a chart with the data from the explore stage.
Then students respond to active reading questions as formative assessment and complete a
review as a summative assessment.